
ADDRESS 



HON. THEODORE F. RANDOLPH 



A N N U A I. INI E E T I N G 



STOCKIIOLDKHS OF THE WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION, 



IIELB AT THE IIEADQUAHTERS, MORRISTOWN, N. J., 



JI^LY 5TH:, lft75 





M <) 11 K T S^ T () W X , N . J . : 1 


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PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF "THE MORRIS REPUBLICAN," 


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1 87S. 


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■ ^1 Ks 



ADDRESS. 



Fellow Jerseymen: 

During the Summer of 1873 this prop- 
erty, so long and widely known as the 
" Old Headquarters of Washington," was 
offered for sale. A few gentlemen 
present at the sale concluded to pur- 
chase it ; and having done so, fonned a 
society now known as the " Washington 
Association of New Jersey," the prin- 
cipal object of which is to perpetuate 
this house with its great historic associa- 
tions. 

The Legislature of New Jersey have 
given the Association a very liberal char- 
ter. Among its provisions is total exemp- 
tion of the property from taxation ; pro- 
hibition to the erection of any unsightly 
objects adjacent hereto ; police powers 
upon and near the grounds ; and other 
special rights and privileges rarely accord- 
ed to corporations. In support of the 
])lace the State makes an annual contri- 
bution. The capital stock of the Asso- 
ciation was put at 350,000, the shares 
being placed at $100 each, each share 
entitling the holder to a vote. These 
shares are not transferable, except with 
the consent of the Association, and then 
only to a direct male descendant of a 
subscriber. Failing in descent as indi- 
cated, the stock becomes the property of 
the State. 

Of the capital stock there has been 
subscribed about §25,000, or nearly 
enough, when paid, to rid the property 
of all debt. I regret to say that by reason 
of delay in payment by some subscribers, 
there is yet due upon the original pur- 
chase about ten thousand dollars. 



I need not say to you, fellow Jerseymen, 
that we shall be glad to have your assist- 
ance in freeing this grand old house from 
aU debt. 

It is a grand old house, and in a grand 
locality. 

It rarely happens in history that ai-t, 
nature, and circumstance combine in 
elements of attractiveness. Ours is 
the infrec|uent fortune of blending 
much that is interesting in art, more that 
is charming in natural scenery, and most 
that is stirring in circumstance. 

Of our historic State we can say that 
in mineral wealth, in agricultural 
resources, and in commercial advantages 
no one of all the States can rival this 
of ours. 

Of the grateful use to which we have 
put our vast inheritance we can speak 
well. No acres in any other State are 
as valuable, proportionately, as ours ; 
no minerals, of their kind, give 
a more productive yield than those of 
North Jersey ; and to one of our ores 
at least no comparison is offered, for 
alone we produce the wondei-ful sub- 
stance that in the process of its develop- 
ment shows uses so multifonn that one 
is almost tempted to believe that the 
hand of the magician lies behind the 
sure results that science and art have 
established. 

If we cannot say that our " commerce 
whitens every sea," it can be said that 
we have sheltermg harbors enough to 
protect the Navies of the world. Of one 
of them, that of New York — the one-half 
belongs to us ; and this half, with its shel- 



tering western shore and deep waters, is day to refresh our memories with it : 

of course the best. Nature is no nig- " No person shall ever ^dthin this 

gard with her upright sons, and Commonwealth be deprived of the ines- 

1 if i- * 4.1 1*4?. +u.„^ timable privilege of worshipj)ing Al- 

lias an attec-tionate thought tor those • i ^ r< i ■ ^ 1 1 ^ ^.i 

5^ J • -1 mightv (jrod in a manner agreeable to the 

who keep good schools and good jails. ji^.tat^s of his own conscience." 

Of those artificial advantages which singularly enough, as it seems to us 

.'vercometo an industrious and intel- now, in the Very next paragraph uf the 

ligent people, I need scarcely speak, instrument occurs these words : 

The manufactures of New Jersey are u j,t„ Pi-^testant inhal)itant of this 

known everywhere, and whether they be colony shall 1)e denied the enjoyment of 

of ponderous shafts of iron or any civil right merely on accoiuit of his 

delicate fabrics of glass, or of the thou- I't-ligi^us prin.-iples." 

sand other productions that labor, and I am glad to say that a more enlight- 

art, and science produce, they do constant ^ned statesmanship prevailed at a later 

credit to our State. That we pay more P»^"od, and upon the first occasion of 

tax than any equal number of revenue ^"it^iHling the Constitution the sectarian 

districts in other States, bespeaks at clause I have quoted was stricken from 

once our thrift and a reasonable honesty. ^'^^ instruuu-ut, and these nobler words 

What true Jersey man does not love to substituted therefor : 

hear words of praise of our noble old col- " No religious test shall be required as 

, ., mi -\ J. u T> • J. J a, qualification for anv office of ];>ubbc 

Ifi'es ^ ilie t^raduates ot r'nnceton and . ^ . , 'i u i i • i xi 

•^ ^ trust, and no person shall be denied the 

Itutgers have held the highest posts of enjoyment of any civil right merely on 
distinction at home and abroad. To- account of his religious principles." 
day their skill and learning is sought by This done, the instrument was in con- 
peoples who cannot s})eak our tongue, sonauce with its stirring declaration of 
and whose own history runs lack of ours " Rights and Privileges." 
a thousand and more years. Of natural, artificial and i)olitical ad- 
No State has a more thorough Com- vantages I have briefly sj token. As a 
mon School system than New Jersey ; ex- Jerseyman — loving my State as I frankly 
I K'lids more money pro-ratably to sustain confess I love none other, and loving 
it, or has more sturdy defenders of it. others as I do wondrous well, how could I 
Blest with a State Constitution well h;ive done less than refer to possessions 
made at the beginnuig, it has had that nature with prodigal hand has lav- 
]>ut one repairing since. Our people ished ui)on us, that art with subtlest 
have had the good sense to let well «-unuing has enriched us with, and that 
enough alone, as I hope they may for wisdom has left with us as an inheritance, 
another hundred years. Our Stat^ Glad as I am on fitting occasion 
" Magna Cbarta" we may well love and to ti'll of our State's prosjierity and 
i-evere, born as it was days before the advantages, and glad as I am to 
Federal Constitution was adopted at evince my gratitude for the rich blessings 
Philadelphia. Among its provisions is the bestowed upon us as a people, my duty 
following enunciation of a fundaniental to-dav leads me to address you upon an- 
prin(i]>le, and I deem it an appropriate other sul^ject, the wealth of which onlv 



makes my poverty of thouglit and Ian- more defeat on Monmouth's field than 

guage more painfvil to me. British guns could do. And almost at 

Fortunately for me, I have the prolific our feet, as we glance down the slope 

theme of New Jersey's Revolutionary his- of Long Hill, near by, we have old Spring- 

tory circumscribed, and my task will be field — the battle of all others North Jer- 

finished when I have told, as simply and seymen fought and won by their own 

briefly as I may, somewhat of our local valor. 

history; and repeat to you, perhaps, like Beautiful as is all the land that lies 

a " thrice-told tale," the story of this his- along and amid the lovely moimtain 

toric house, known to all men who love the range, begining with New York's Adiron- 

State, as having been, during the Win- dack hills, and sinking away on the plains 

ter of 1779-1780 — the Headquarters of of Georgia, baring its eastern slopes to the 

George Washington, Commander-inChief fresh rays of each morning sun, and 

of the Continental forces. catching on countless peaks the lingering 

If no inspiration came with the recital light of passing days ; beautifiil as this 

of the old story or if the theme were lovely stretch of American scenery is, no 

one less calculated to awaken emotions of part of it all rivals in restful peaceful- 

jjatriotism, the surroundings of to-day ness and beauty these old hills of Morris 

should and would inspire, I doubt not, a — now ours to possess, once contended for 

more indifferent lover of his birth- State by a struggling nation's force, 

than I am, to the utterance of words be- Close under yonder southward hiU- 

fitting an occasion like this. side lies the valley of the Lowantica — 

The land within which we stand is a beautiful in fact as in name. Within 

classic land — not only in its history but its shelter during the terrible Winter of 

in the beauty of its landscape and rich- 79-80 lay most of the Continental army 

ness of its scenery. Almost at a glance of that period. The troops of Yirguiia 

the eye encounters the mountains in their and Maryland sought, alas, how vainly ! 

majesty, the valleys in their verdure and on the southern slope of the Lowantica 

T)eauty, and eastward and away from the more genial rays they were 

yonder " Long Hills" that stand sentry accustomed to. Even hardy troops of 

over the busy millions toiling at their New England, inured to cold, gave 

base, the eye may rest on the great ocean, way in strength and health luider the 

forever turning its solemn and uneeas- extreme rigor of that Winter, 

ing waves to our shores. Disease, foul and desolating, added its 

All that is classically beautiful in na- horrors to the pangs of cold and himger, 

ture lies around us, beneath us, beyond and during weary months each morning 

us. From the crest of neighboring hills drum-tap broke the stillness of the crisp 

we may look away to where the half- air to scores of wretched hearts that heard 

frozen'troops of the decimated Army of the sound no more. Long ditches in the 

the Revolution, turned the fast-setting frozen earth opened day by day to re- 

tide of defeat to insured success on the ceive the leprous dead. Sturdy sons of 

fields of Trenton and of Princeton ; to New England, lanked-limbed, and reso- 

where the sultrv Summer sun worked lute even in death, slept their last sleep 



4 

tide by side with llit' oiuaeiated Virginian reaj* for historic wealth, I know too well 

whose clenched hand seemed almost how carefully these fields were reaped 

ready to start into life as the drowsy years ago. Of all the writers of our local 

roll-call passed his accustomed name. histoiy I know of no one that has brought 

Yes ! just here, within sight of this tt) his work more of feeling and faithful- 

veneral)le house, and almost within ness than the Rev. Dr. Joseph 

tniiupet call from the liill u]>nn wliich Tuttle, now President of Wabash 

we stand, rested, if rest it may be called, College. Without his work you 

the rebels of England's hate - the patriots would h ive had to-day only the work of 

of America's hope ! an indifferent gleaner ; with it you will 

Truly this is classic ground, forever have some fruits of a harvest, 
made so by the sufferings of that period ; Morris county is peculiarly rich in Rev- 

and would be classic ground had no shel- olutionary reminiscences. During two 

teriug roof been built upon it to give to winters Washington established his 

t he great Captain the best protection and Headquarters at this town. The place 

liDSjiitality that battle-ridden New Jersey where the younger Fordlmilt the powder 

had to offer in Revolutionary days. mill ; the sight of the old magazine ; the 

When Washington was made Comman- Ai-uold Tavern ; the Knox Headquarters ; 

der-in-Chief of the Continental forces in the camps on the Wicke farm ; the Low- 

1775, he adjudged that the seat of war antica hosjdtals, and the sacred little 

would have the city of New York for its " God's Acre," are all here about us. But 

centre, with a radius of greater or less peerless among them all stands these Old 

extent from it. Headquarters within which lived the 

Thus of necessity our State became great commander. 
the scene of constant militaiy operations. The disasters of 1776 terminated in the 

The contending armies crossed and re- retreat of Washington beyond the Dela- 

irossed New Jersey ; and I have heard ware. To the veteran soldier this march, 

many an old soldier of the Revolution through half-frozen mud, so terrible to 

say that, between the demands of inso- endure, was knowni as the " Mud 

lent foes and the necessity of starving Rounds." Only al)out 4,000 men fol- 

friends, sometimes passmg their slender lowed Washington at this period. Deep 

granaries in the same day, Jersey farm- gloom had fallen upon the country, but 

iug was a tough business in Revo- jov sprung to every patriot heart as the 

hitionary times. brilliant victi)ries of Trenton and of 

The farms of Middlesex and Monis Princeton closed the year of '76 and 

were largely cultivated by women and oj)ened that of '77. In January, 1777, 

cliildren in some years of the war, and soon after the victories at Trenton 

many a field of corn was cultivated by and at Princeton, Washington established 

women from whom we Jerseymen are his headquirtors at Morrist >wn — at the 

proud to claim descent. And how proud Arnold Tavern. During this Whiter he 

we are now that have a Rebt'l ancestry, niiidr the acquaintance of the family of 

r>ut they won. Col. Jacob Ford, Jr., the builder and 

A})unilant as is llir harvi'st to stub as owner of this lioiisc, since made famous 



by its illustrious occupancy. Col. Ford 
lived but a ^ort period after this meet- 
ing with Washington, having contracted 
a fatal disease during the short campaign 
in which he commanded and that ended 
in the battle of Lyons Farms or Spring- 
field. So faithful had been his service 
to the Continental army that Washing- 
ton himself ordered military honors paid 
at his funeral. 

The powder mill which Col. Ford built 
at his own cost not only fvu'nished good 
powder and in needful quantities, but 
became the frequent object of the 
enemy's plans to attack and destroy. In 
this they never succeeded. The powder 
mill stood on yonder Whippany river, 
and not far below where we stand. 

Of the founder of this venerable man- 
sion it is enough to say that his patriotism 
was of that sort that induced him to pre- 
side over a meeting held at the old Court 
House as early as June, 1774 — over 101 
years ago — at which time resokitions of 
the strongest condemnatory character of 
England's conduct were passed. Of 
large wealth, untiring energy and indus- 
try, and with intense devotion to his 
country's welfare, the Declaration of 
Independence in 1776 found the builder 
of this house ready for rebellion, and 
willing to give to it, as he did, his life 
and his fortune. 

This house had its foundations laid in 
1772, and was ready for occupancy, and 
was occupied by Col. Ford's family in 
1774. 'Twas builded well. Sledge, and 
hammer, and trowel shaped and placed 
these broad foundations before England's 
King had ceased to rule the land. Axe 
and adze hewed out girder and beam from 
massive oak that to-day defies the full 
century gone past. 



The oaken planks that make these 
outer walls, caulked like the frame of a 
great frigate, are as sound to-day as 
when they sheltered Washington 
from the storms of the terrible Winter 
of ' 79-'80. The carved work about these 
doors and on these beautiful cornices are 
rare specimens of elegance in woodwork. 
It would be diificult to excel their chaste 
design to-day. 

Those who builded have gone. Not 
one of all that busy throng that laid the 
base- stone or capped the roof- girder are 
in life to-day. But they builded well ! 

The same oaken doors open to you as 
they did to Washington ; the massive 
knocker his hand was wont to touch, yet 
waits obedient to your wish. The floors 
he trod in anxious thought and with wea- 
ried brain, you may tread. The century 
has wrought no change in rafter or beam 
or floor or sheltering oak. Is there no 
significance in the remarkable preserva- 
tion of this house ? 

This dwellmgwas for many months the 
home of Martha, the wife of George 
Washington. Within these rooms, with 
quiet dignity and grace, she received her 
husband's guests. Never idle, she set a 
constant example of thrift and industry. 
Upon one occasion some of the ladies of 
Hanover, dressed in their best, called 
upon Lady Washington at this house, 
and one of them, whose descendants live 
here now, relating the visit subsequently, 
said: 

" And don't you think we found her 
with a speckled homespun apron on and 
engaged in knitting a stocking ! 

" Eeceiving us very kindly, she told us 
we should become patterns to our sex, 
and whilst our husbands and brothers 
were examples of pati-iotism, we should 
become examples of industiy." 



6 

The example was not lost, for the inci- eamp-cliest, heavy and solid, is yet good 
dents of self-denial and hardships en- for a long campaign. The gj>ecie wagon 
countered by the rebel women of Morris — a curious contrivance as you see — long 
iire enough to fill a volume. and deep and partitioned, swung between 

Under this roof have been gathered broad wheels, held all the specie, no 
more characters known to the military doubt, of that almost specieless time, 
liistory of our Revoluti<m than under any In front of this house, in yonder mea- 
other roof in America. This fact is not dow, somewhat protected from the rigor 
generally known to our own jjeople, and of the northern winds, lay encamped 
consequently the rich historic value of Washington's body-guard — originally a 
our olil Headquarters has never been selected troop of about one hundred Vir- 
propcrly appreciated. ginians — afterwards Increased somewhat 

Hrrc thi' elegant and brilliant Alex- in number. Day and night they kept 
auder Hamilton lived during the long wati-h and guard over these Headquar- 
Winter of '79, and here he met and ters, and the precious lives they guarded 
cf)urtedthe lady, he afterwards married — rested secure under their unceasing vigi- 
the daughter of General Schuyler. Here, lanc*e. 

too, was Greene— splendid fighting Qua- Many were the plans and several were 
ker as he was — ^and the great artillery the attempts by the enemy to pierce to 
officer, Knox, the stern Steuben, the this old house, and at one blow destroy 
jiolislu'd Kosciusco, the brave Schuy- all ho})e of successfid revolution. We 
ler, gallant Light Horse Harry Lee, old heai- these tales to-day and believe them, 
Israel Putnam, "Mad Anthony" Wayne, too, for they are portions of well-authen- 
and last to ]>e named of all, that brave ticated history. But do we appreciate 
soldier, l)ut rank traitor — Benedict Ar- the fact that had this house l)een once 
Hold. successfully attacked and its inmates 

Here, too, from time to time gathered taken, all that we now are proud of as 
prominent meml>ers of the Continental our " Revolution," would, in all proVta- 
Congress. bility, have been known to history' as 

The furniture used by these soldiers America's " Re]»ellion." 
and statesmen is here in part to-day. The mountains of Morris had nnicli 
The dressing bureau, chairs, tallies and fame for their rich dei)osits of iron ore 
stands have been i)resei-ved through all long before the Revolution. ^Vheu, 
tliese years and kept within these walls, therefore, the necessity came for the 
The small stand or ta]>le upon which manufacture of cannon and shot and 
Washington wrote his dis])atches, and shell, these old hills of ours turned out 
upon which the ink-stains he made still enough to supply the meagre anny of 
remain, is ours to-day. The curious old Washington. 

secretary he used, with its hidden drawers Not a few of the mountains whose ores 
and quaint workinanshij), stands here gave us material for defence, served the 
now as it did then. The mirrors used jnirpose also of giving from their crests 
l>y General and Lady Wasliiugton you the " signal lights" —the well-understood 
may see your fact's reilected in. The old and effeetive telegrai>hy of that jieriod. 



At given points from tlie Hudson to the 
Delaware, signal parties were stationed 
day and night, and no movement of the 
British could be made that was not 
promptly signalled by the beacon light 
at night, or the minute gun during the 
day. The gun at Bottle Hill was an 18- 
pounder, and was known as the " Old 
Sow." At the sound of the cannon 
the " minute man" knew his duty, drop- 
ped plough in furrow and started for the 
rendezvous. I talked with heroes of the 
Revolution long years ago, who made 
my blood tingle recounting their deeds, 
and as they straightened up their 
bent forms, and, stirred by old 
memories, flashed from their long- dim- 
med eyes the old heroic light, I felt 
it the honor of my boyhood life to have 
seen and heard the "old soldiers." These 
were the men that went to their labor 
musket in hand, who needed no second 
shot from the " minute gun" to take 
them from farm and field and shop, and 
send them swarming adown the country 
road to their posts. I have talked with 
the men who camped at this place during 
the Winter of '79-' 80, and have been 
told by them that so destitute were they 
of shoes that their foot-prints about the 
camp could be tracked on the snow by 
the blood from their frozen and cracked 
feet. 

They were fit hitsbands to jmtriot 
wives — wives who, like Anna Kitchel, of 
Whippany, refused " British protection," 
saying, " I have a husband, father and 
five brothers in the American army, and 
if the Grod of Battles will not care for us, 
we will fare with the rest !" 

They were suitable neighbors of such 
a j^arson as Jacob Green, who constantly 
urged his congregations to fight on the 



Lord's side — that being the American 
side. This useful and in many respects 
extraordinary man, signed himself 
" Preacher and teacher, doctor and proc- 
tor, miller and distiller." And he did 
indeed follow all these various occupa- 
tions, strange and incongruous as they 
may seem to us now. 

Can we wonder at the strong desire of 
the enemy to obtain a foothold here, and 
can we not understand how secure our 
people felt in these mountain fastnesses ? 

A British officer sent a bullying mess- 
age one day to old General Winds, of 
our army, and ended it by saying that 
" he proposed to dine the next day at 
Morristown," to which the old rebel re- 
plied, " If you do dine at Morristown to- 
morrow, you will certamly sup in Hell !" 

My friends, I have already spun out 
my story beyond the limits I had pro- 
posed, and if I were to follow personal 
inclination instead of duty, to you I 
would go on with the old stories I have 
so often loved. to hear myself. 

1 should not close without expressing 
the obligations of the Association to the 
ladies of the county for the recent help- 
ful entertainment given by them at these 
Headquarters. 

A more interesting collection of Rev- 
olutionary and ante -Revolutionary relics 
has not been had in this State for scores 
of years, — if ever. 

The Association is also imder obliga- 
tion to many citizens of our State, and 
especially to those of this county for 
valuable contributions of articles of in- 
terest to the society and to the public. 
We hope, in time, to gather within these 
appropriate walls so large and interesting 
a museum of articles connected with the 
early Revolutionary and other history of 



R 

the O(jlonifs of " East and West Jersey," what he knew was the last order to 

and i)f the State, that this old mansion his life, was no less an American, because 

will hei'ome a " Mecca," toward which he was so much of a Jerseyiuau. The 

all patriotic Jerseymen will fi-t)m time to great Apostle, whose words ring in my 

time turn their stejis ; finding in time of ear as the bugle not<.^s of the soldier 

peace a grateful repose from life's tur- gave no less allegiance to his Christian 

moil ; and in times of danger to the faith, because his heart turned with anx- 

<(»untrv's peace or welfare obtain, as from ious solicitude to his race, and in loving 

a pure fountain, insjnration to patriotic pride to his Jewish ancestry, 

purpose. I feel sure that every purpose Even the compassionate Master, 

]»oru of Revolutionary association will loving all men with an iucom})arable 

have the tempered zeal which ever char- affection, would turn in the saddest of 

acterized the acts of the great Patriot his ever sad hours to the " one disciple 

whdsc name has rendered this house whom he loved!" Just as that human 

immortal. love is broadest and strongest that has 

I am bid to say that evei-y article of its firm anchorage in domestic life, is 

interest that may be placed within our that love of country deepest which roots 

c:ire will have its api)ropriate place in itself most firmly in the near associations 

these "Headquarters;" will be marked of one's birth State, 

with the name of the contributor, and a And now, Jerseymen, as I bid you 

jiroper receipt given therefore. We adieu, proud of my State and of her 

a[ipeal to all Jerseymen to helj) us in an history ; proud of her Government that 

undertaking bom of pure purjjose, and gives equal rights to all and privileges 

one we sincerely hope it may be the pride to none ; of our laws and their execution, 

of Jerseymen to per[jetuate through all I would have you remember that our 

time. rich historical inheritance, and most of 

I have spoken to you to-day as a Jer- our material and political wealth, came 
seyman t(j Jerseymen ! I would not, thi'ough the intelligence and mtegrity of 
however, lie misiuiderstood. I yield to a jieo|ile that " knew their rights and 
no man in regard for the sisterhood of dared defend them," through the patient 
States^they whose unity gave life to a courage of an ancestry that, despite pen- 
nation, and whose jieqietuity is the ury, disease and death, hated tyranny so 
iiidispcn.sable pre-req\iisite of Republi- heartily and loved civil and religious lib- 
can Government, erty so, completely, as to leave in this 

As a Jerseyman, I love my own State fact the record of their faithfulness : 

liest; nor time nor circumstance shall Among tliese hills of Morris, no 

iliaiigc this. The soldier who placed Briton's foot ever trod, in Rfvolutionury 

the blue ribbon of his Jersey lineage and times, save as a prisoner's, 
enlistment on his breast and then obevcd 



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